Sunday, December 16, 2007
History Is In the Past
History is in the past and now is what matters. Newcastle United has a lot of talent coming into the Premiership season and looks to perform well. The supporters have been waiting for a break-out year from the club they have come to love. The attacking shouldn't be a problem with Obafemi Martins, Michael Owen, and Mark Viduka upfront, but can the defense hold up. Time will tell so stick around and find out how Newcastle goes on the road to greatness.
History of Newcastle United: 1980-2000
AT THE start of the Eighties decade, United had declined dramatically and were languishing in the Second Division. Gordon Lee had replaced Harvey as boss yet he in turn soon gave way to Richard Dinnis and then Bill McGarry.
But it was Arthur Cox who steered United back again to the First Division with ex England skipper Kevin Keegan the focus of the side having joined the Magpies in a sensational deal in 1982.
Keegan captivated everyone on Tyneside and United stormed into the top division in a style only bettered by Kevin's own brand of football in the next decade. Alongside Keegan were youngsters Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle, as well as seasoned campaigners like Terry McDermott and David McCreery.
Paul Gascoigne soon followed, as did Jack Charlton as manager. Newcastle consolidated their place in Division One but then a period of selling their best players - Beardsley, Waddle and Gazza - rocked the club, as did a share-war for control of Newcastle United.
The Magpies tumbled back into the Second Division and were in a perilous state. They had little money, star players headed south and crowds dwindled.
With the club hovering on the brink, Newcastle United needed a saviour. They not only found one, but two, as Sir John Hall and Kevin Keegan joined forces to create a formidable duo.
When Keegan returned to Tyneside to replace Ossie Ardiles as manager on a short term contract in 1992, United were struggling at the wrong end of Division Two. Sir John had all but taken control of the club and he needed a small miracle to stop the Magpies from tumbling into the Third Division for the very first time in their history.
If Sir John was to transform the near bankrupt club they simply had to survive relegation. Just as before, Keegan's mere presence captivated the region. United's disgruntled supporters became excited, expectant ones over-night.
They packed St James Park again and United survived. Sir John Hall now turned his attention to a master plan to develop Newcastle United into one of the superclubs of Europe. Kevin Keegan stayed on as manager and immediately the powerful duo swung into action.
The club's finances were transformed; St James Park redeveloped into a stadium as good as any, now accommodating over 52,000. Keegan brought in new players, many international superstars. It was the start of a special five years under his guidance.
The First Division Championship was secured and Premier League clubs were faced with a new influence in the game. The Black'n'Whites joined the elite for the 1993-94 season and United very quickly became recognised as a force claiming two Runners-Up spots and just missing out on the title trophy.
The club invested heavily in players and United's squad has been a virtual all international one containing players from throughout the globe. Players like David Ginola and Tino Asprilla from abroad, and British stars like Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson.
The Tyneside club has built up a reputation of playing an attacking brand of soccer and under the management of Kenny Dalglish, Newcastle entered the Champions League and reached the FA Cup final in 1998 only to fall to Arsenal. With another world personality in control, Ruud Gullit, Newcastle again reached the FA Cup final only to lose, this time to Manchester United.
Now with Bobby Robson at the helm, the Magpies are a major power in the game, on and off the field. A club with a proud tradition and a club with a fervent and loyal support, Newcastle United is one of the biggest clubs in the world.
But it was Arthur Cox who steered United back again to the First Division with ex England skipper Kevin Keegan the focus of the side having joined the Magpies in a sensational deal in 1982.
Keegan captivated everyone on Tyneside and United stormed into the top division in a style only bettered by Kevin's own brand of football in the next decade. Alongside Keegan were youngsters Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle, as well as seasoned campaigners like Terry McDermott and David McCreery.
Paul Gascoigne soon followed, as did Jack Charlton as manager. Newcastle consolidated their place in Division One but then a period of selling their best players - Beardsley, Waddle and Gazza - rocked the club, as did a share-war for control of Newcastle United.
The Magpies tumbled back into the Second Division and were in a perilous state. They had little money, star players headed south and crowds dwindled.
With the club hovering on the brink, Newcastle United needed a saviour. They not only found one, but two, as Sir John Hall and Kevin Keegan joined forces to create a formidable duo.
When Keegan returned to Tyneside to replace Ossie Ardiles as manager on a short term contract in 1992, United were struggling at the wrong end of Division Two. Sir John had all but taken control of the club and he needed a small miracle to stop the Magpies from tumbling into the Third Division for the very first time in their history.
If Sir John was to transform the near bankrupt club they simply had to survive relegation. Just as before, Keegan's mere presence captivated the region. United's disgruntled supporters became excited, expectant ones over-night.
They packed St James Park again and United survived. Sir John Hall now turned his attention to a master plan to develop Newcastle United into one of the superclubs of Europe. Kevin Keegan stayed on as manager and immediately the powerful duo swung into action.
The club's finances were transformed; St James Park redeveloped into a stadium as good as any, now accommodating over 52,000. Keegan brought in new players, many international superstars. It was the start of a special five years under his guidance.
The First Division Championship was secured and Premier League clubs were faced with a new influence in the game. The Black'n'Whites joined the elite for the 1993-94 season and United very quickly became recognised as a force claiming two Runners-Up spots and just missing out on the title trophy.
The club invested heavily in players and United's squad has been a virtual all international one containing players from throughout the globe. Players like David Ginola and Tino Asprilla from abroad, and British stars like Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson.
The Tyneside club has built up a reputation of playing an attacking brand of soccer and under the management of Kenny Dalglish, Newcastle entered the Champions League and reached the FA Cup final in 1998 only to fall to Arsenal. With another world personality in control, Ruud Gullit, Newcastle again reached the FA Cup final only to lose, this time to Manchester United.
Now with Bobby Robson at the helm, the Magpies are a major power in the game, on and off the field. A club with a proud tradition and a club with a fervent and loyal support, Newcastle United is one of the biggest clubs in the world.
History of Newcastle United: 1945-1979
FORMER star winger Stan Seymour had been appointed to the Board of Directors just before the outbreak of WWII. A determined character, he set the foundations of United's next great period.
By the time peace was restored in 1945, Seymour was at the forefront of affairs, manager in all but name. He ensured that the Magpies possessed an entertaining eleven full of stars, a mix of home-grown talent like Jackie Milburn, Bobby Cowell and Ernie Taylor, as well as big signings in the shape of George Robledo, Bobby Mitchell, Joe Harvey and Frank Brennan.
Newcastle returned to the First Division in double quick time. Promotion was achieved in 1948 in front of vast crowds. An average of almost 57,000 at every home game saw United's fixtures that year, a national record for years to come. That was just the start of another period of success.
During the Fifties decade United lifted the FA Cup trophy on three occasions within a five year period. In 1951 they defeated Blackpool 2-0, a year later Arsenal were beaten 1-0 and in 1955 United crushed Manchester City 3-1. The Magpies were known in every corner of the country, and so were their players; "Wor Jackie" Milburn and Bobby "Dazzler" Mitchell the pick of a side that was renowned the nation over.
Despite having quality players throughout the era, stars like Ivor Allchurch, George Eastham and Len White during the latter years of the decade, United slipped from the First Division in 1961 under the controversial management of ex Manchester United star Charlie Mitten. It was a huge blow to the club.
An old war-horse returned to revitalise the Magpies in the shape of Joe Harvey who had skippered the club to much of their post-war success. He teamed up with Stan Seymour to rebuild United and the Black'n'Whites returned to the elite as Second Division Champions in 1965. United then became very much an unpredictable side, always capable of defeating the best, but never quite realising their huge potential until very recently.
Joe Harvey's side qualified for Europe for the first time in 1968 and stunned everyone the following year by lifting the Inter Cities Fairs Cup; the forerunner of the UEFA Cup. United possessed a solid eleven and Newcastle's tradition of fielding a famous Number 9 at centre-forward since earliest years continued as big Welshman Wyn Davies was prominent alongwith the likes of Bryan "Pop" Robson, Bobby Moncur and Frank Clark.
In the years that followed European success, manager Harvey brought in a string of talented entertainers who thrilled the Gallowgate crowd. Pleasers like Jimmy Smith, Tony Green and Terry Hibbitt. And especially a new centre-forward by the name of Malcolm Macdonald.
Nicknamed "Supermac", Macdonald was one of United's greatest hero figures. Brash, arrogant and devastating in front of goal, he led United's attack to Wembley twice, in 1974 and 1976, against Liverpool in the FA Cup and Manchester City in the League Cup. But on each occasion the Magpies failed to bring the trophy back to Tyneside.
Credited to http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ClubHistoryDetail/0,,10278~222593,00.html
By the time peace was restored in 1945, Seymour was at the forefront of affairs, manager in all but name. He ensured that the Magpies possessed an entertaining eleven full of stars, a mix of home-grown talent like Jackie Milburn, Bobby Cowell and Ernie Taylor, as well as big signings in the shape of George Robledo, Bobby Mitchell, Joe Harvey and Frank Brennan.
Newcastle returned to the First Division in double quick time. Promotion was achieved in 1948 in front of vast crowds. An average of almost 57,000 at every home game saw United's fixtures that year, a national record for years to come. That was just the start of another period of success.
During the Fifties decade United lifted the FA Cup trophy on three occasions within a five year period. In 1951 they defeated Blackpool 2-0, a year later Arsenal were beaten 1-0 and in 1955 United crushed Manchester City 3-1. The Magpies were known in every corner of the country, and so were their players; "Wor Jackie" Milburn and Bobby "Dazzler" Mitchell the pick of a side that was renowned the nation over.
Despite having quality players throughout the era, stars like Ivor Allchurch, George Eastham and Len White during the latter years of the decade, United slipped from the First Division in 1961 under the controversial management of ex Manchester United star Charlie Mitten. It was a huge blow to the club.
An old war-horse returned to revitalise the Magpies in the shape of Joe Harvey who had skippered the club to much of their post-war success. He teamed up with Stan Seymour to rebuild United and the Black'n'Whites returned to the elite as Second Division Champions in 1965. United then became very much an unpredictable side, always capable of defeating the best, but never quite realising their huge potential until very recently.
Joe Harvey's side qualified for Europe for the first time in 1968 and stunned everyone the following year by lifting the Inter Cities Fairs Cup; the forerunner of the UEFA Cup. United possessed a solid eleven and Newcastle's tradition of fielding a famous Number 9 at centre-forward since earliest years continued as big Welshman Wyn Davies was prominent alongwith the likes of Bryan "Pop" Robson, Bobby Moncur and Frank Clark.
In the years that followed European success, manager Harvey brought in a string of talented entertainers who thrilled the Gallowgate crowd. Pleasers like Jimmy Smith, Tony Green and Terry Hibbitt. And especially a new centre-forward by the name of Malcolm Macdonald.
Nicknamed "Supermac", Macdonald was one of United's greatest hero figures. Brash, arrogant and devastating in front of goal, he led United's attack to Wembley twice, in 1974 and 1976, against Liverpool in the FA Cup and Manchester City in the League Cup. But on each occasion the Magpies failed to bring the trophy back to Tyneside.
Credited to http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ClubHistoryDetail/0,,10278~222593,00.html
History of Newcastle United: 1881-1939
The origins of Newcastle United Football Club belong to Victorian Tyneside and two local sides, Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End. Situated on either side of the city, these two pioneering teams developed from humble beginnings as offshoots of cricket clubs during the early years of the 1880's.
A great rivalry between the two factions took place for a number of years, but by 1892 it was the East Enders who had become the dominant force. West End ran into financial problems and on their demise East End moved across the city and took over West End's ground, St James Park.
Very soon they changed their name to Newcastle United and also changed their red and white colours to the now famous black'n'white stripes. They were elected to the Football League in 1893 and started on over a century of incident that has made the Magpies one of the games headliners.
Just prior to the turn of the century, Newcastle gained promotion to the top division after a series of Test Matches - an early version of the present-day play-offs.
United then developed a side which became Edwardian England's master outfit, but not before the Tynesiders went through a worrying period due to lack of support at the turnstile and lack of money at the bank. But through the help of their directors the club was propped up and they survived to become a force in the game.
Newcastle started to purchase talented players, especially from Scotland, and soon had a squad to rival all of England. Players like Colin Veitch, Jackie Rutherford, Jimmy Lawrence and Albert Shepherd. The Black'n'Whites had a team of international talent. There was Bill McCracken, Jimmy Howie, Peter McWilliam and Andy Aitken too. All were household names.
The Magpies lifted the League Championship on three occasions and reached five FA Cup finals in the years leading upto the First World War in 1914. Geordie fans had enjoyed ten years of being the team everyone wanted to topple. United played a style of football celebrated in the game's history. It was possession football in an entertaining, rousing fashion.
After World War One, the Twenties was just as eventful. The Black'n'Whites lifted the FA Cup at Wembley in 1924 defeating Aston Villa - only the second ever final to be staged at the famous stadium. And a record signing of Scottish international centre-forward Hughie Gallacher made sure United collected another Championship trophy three years later in 1927.
Famous names continued to pull on the Newcastle striped shirt. Apart from the legendary Gallacher, the Magpies fielded the likes of Neil Harris, Stan Seymour and Frank Hudspeth. Seymour was to become an influential figure for the next 40 years as player, manager and director.
It was back to Wembley in 1932 to compete in the infamous "Over the Line" FA Cup final with Arsenal. United won the game 2-1 after scoring a goal following a cross from Jimmy Richardson which appeared to be hit from out of play - over the line. There were no action replays then and the referee allowed the goal, a controversial talking point in FA Cup history.
Newcastle boasted master players like Sammy Weaver and Jack Allen, as well as the first player-manager in the top division in Scottish international Andy Cunningham. But after glory at the Twin Towers of Wembley, Newcastle's form slumped and by 1934 they had been relegated for the first time in their history.
Amazingly in the same season as they fell into the Second Division, United defeated Liverpool 9-2 and Everton 7-3 within the space of a week!
A rebuilding process took place in the years leading up to the Second World War and by that time former star winger Stan Seymour had been appointed to the Board of Directors. A determined character, he set the foundations of United's next great period.
Credited to http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ClubHistoryDetail/0,,10278~222590,00.html
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